Jeff Tedford on QB Josh McCown, above, and others: “I’ve been really impressed by some of the leadership of … guys like Josh (McCown), Vincent (Jackson) and Evan (Dietrich-Smith) up front.”

TAMPA — Bucs offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford saw some heavy legs and a few more drops by receivers in the red zone during practice Monday. But that doesn't mean his players aren't catching on to the new scheme.

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Well into their second full week of training camp, Bucs players have become familiar with their own personnel and plays so execution can be more difficult, especially on offense.

Tedford said the Bucs will get a better yardstick of their progress Friday when they open preseason at the Jaguars.

"I've been really impressed by some of the leadership of some of the guys like Josh (McCown), Vincent (Jackson) and Evan (Dietrich-Smith) up front," Tedford said. "I think we're showing signs of being a really good football team. It's still a process we're going through. But that's what practice is for. We're getting better every day and learning a lot.

"It was very evident today our guys have seen our stuff a lot. We've had a really good camp and very, very efficient. The defense got the better of it today. So they've seen our stuff and it will be nice to just go in and hit new bodies and execute against different people. … They looked a little tired. You could see we've been practicing long and hard here. But I'm really pleased with the progress we're making and anxious to start getting into the games now."

Coach Lovie Smith said this is the part of training camp that players have to grind through.

"It's a grind, over a week into camp. It's a little tougher," Smith said. "Everybody is sore. Each day gets a little more heated, which isn't always a bad thing as long as you don't take it too far. We're getting better."

ASJ better than Okay: No player had more catching up to do than TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, the second-round pick from Washington who missed offseason workouts with a foot injury and because he was finishing classes.

Even as coaches rave about his progress, he has been hard on himself. He called Monday's practice his worst as a Buc.

"I didn't come here to just be good," Seferian-Jenkins said.

The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder looks like a strong receiver but felt his biggest problem came with blocking. Seferian-Jenkins said he understands the offense and his assignments well, but his footwork has faltered at times because he's too eager for contact.

"You're just so revved up on hitting that guy, you forget the most important thing," Seferian-Jenkins said. "Your feet."

Tedford says he likes what he sees from Seferian-Jenkins.

"He's a really bright guy who has caught on fast and he creates some matchup problems, so he brings a lot to the table for us."

Injuries: CB Alterraun Verner continues to miss practice as he recovers from a hamstring strain. With CB Mike Jenkins also out, it has put added pressure on the position. On Monday, CB Danny Gorrer worked with the first-team defense opposite Johnthan Banks. DE Da'Quan Bowers and TE Luke Stocker did not practice but are expected play Friday.

Transaction: Former Panthers WR David Gettis was waived (injury settlement).

Times staff writers Greg Auman and Matt Baker contributed to this report.